Aegon remained adamant about his claim to the throne, but was unable to find many lords who were willing to risk Maegor's wroth by supporting Aegon's claim. Not even Lord Lannister was willing to give his support to Aegon, although he did refuse Maegor's demands that Aegon and Rhaena be expelled from Casterly Rock. Additionally, it was said that Aegon's own mother had abandoned his cause, as she had been present at King's Landing for King Maegor's third marriage.[2] Many of the young nobles that had accompanied Aegon and Rhaena on their progress abandoned them to bend the knee to Maegor, the prince gaining the name "Aegon the Uncrowned". However, Lord Jon Piper and his sister Melony, a former favorite of Rhaena, arrived at Lannisport with their brothers to swear the loyalty of House Piper.[1]

Battle

In 43 AC, Aegon asserted his claim to the throne and denounced King Maegor I Targaryen as a tyrant and usurper.[2][4] He marched through the riverlands leading an army of fifteen thousand strong from atop his dragonQuicksilver.[2] Lord Lucas Harroway and Lord Prentys Tully supported Maegor with their levies, however,[2][5] and Ser Davos Darklyn of the Kingsguard marched from King's Landing with five thousand men.[2] From the Reach came Lords Peake, Merryweather, and Caswell and their levies.[1] Although each of these armies were smaller than Aegon's force, they were coming from all sides. Only seventeen years old, Aegon was yet an inexperienced commander. He refused to attack and defeat each of Maegor's forces separately before they could join their powers, as Lord Qarl Corbray advised, as he was loathe to divide his army. Instead, he continued his march on the capital.[2]

Just south of the Gods Eye, Prince Aegon found Davos's force blocking his path sitting on high ground behind a wall of spears, as the forces of the Reach were advancing from the south, and the forces from Lords Tully and Harroway were advancing from the north. Aegon ordered a charge against the hill where the Kingslanders had gathered, hoping to shatter them before the other hosts could flank him. Aegon mounted Quicksilver, intend to lead the attack himself. However, King Maegor I appeared from the south upon the back of Balerion, who was much larger and stronger than Quicksilver. Balerion the Black Dread fell upon the younger dragon from above, ripping a wing from her body. Quicksilver fell to her death, with Prince Aegon upon her back.[2]

Once Aegon fell, the rebels saw their cause lost and ran. They were slaughtered by the loyalists surrounding them as they attempted to escape, and by the end two thousand of Aegon's men had died, including Lord Alyn Tarbeck, Denys Snow, Lord Jon Piper, his sister Melony and two brothers, Lord Ronnel Vance, Ser Willam Whistler, and Lord Farman and his heir. Among Maegor's forces, the losses were fewer. In total a hundred men died, and the only notable loss among them was Ser Davos Darklyn, who had been slain by Lord Corbray with Lady Forlorn.[1][2]

Aftermath

The battle beneath the Gods Eye in the latter half of 43 AC was followed by a half a year of trials and executions. Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen managed to persuade King Maegor to spare some of the rebellious lords. Maegor demanded lands and titles from the rebels, and took hostages as well to ensure the loyalty of those he had spared.[2]

However, Princess Rhaena had avoided capture, having remained at Pinkmaiden Castle with her daughters and dragon. Upon hearing of the outcome of the battle, Rhaena gathered her daughters and fled on dragonback from the riverlands, fearing her uncle's wroth. While first arriving at Lannisport, she would later flee to Faircastle on Fair Isle, the seat of Lord Marq Farman. His father and brother having perished in the battle, Farman offered Rhaena sanctuary beneath his roof.[1] Meanwhile, with the death of Lord Tarbeck, Maegor married his wife, Lady Jeyne Westerling.[2]